Method and means for making a wall section

ABSTRACT

This invention is a method and apparatus for making a wall section. Wall studs and plates are placed in a support and secured together. Sheet material is placed on the studs and plates and secured thereto. The wall section is removed from the support. The apparatus for making the wall section has a movable carriage for the studs and plates, movable through an assembly line to (1) place studs and plates, (2) to secure the studs and plates together, (3) to place sheeting on a portion of the secured plates and studs, (4) to secure the sheeting material to the plates and studs and (5) preferably to remove the produced wall section from the carriage.

Aug. 5, 1975 METHOD AND MEANS FOR MAKING A WALL SECTION 3.688.965 9/l972 Kellner ct al. 29/430 Primary ExaminerC. W. Lanham [76] lnventor: Richard C. Wright, P.O. Box 283, Assismm Emminer Dan C Crane whltewater Kans' 6754 Attorney. Agent, or Firm--John H. Widdowson (22] Filed: July 30, 1973 [2| Appl. No.: 370,109 [57] ABSTRACT This invention is a method and apparatus for making a wall section. Wall studs and plates are placed in a sup- 29/430 29/200 Port and secured together. Sheet material iS Placed on the studs and plates and secured thereto. The wall sec- [58] held of Search 29/429 /gg 58 tion is removed from the support. The apparatus for making the wall section has a movable carriage for the studs and plates, movable through an assembly line to [56] Reerences Cited (1) place studs and plates, (2) to secure the studs and UNITED STATES PATENTS plates together. (3) to place sheeting on a portion of 2,574,163 ll/l95l Bamford 29/430 the secured plates and studs. (4) to secure the sheet- 3.4 3.303 5/l969 Groat ing material to the plates and studs and (5) preferably 3564702 2/197 Hum alm to remove the produced wall section from the car- 3,60l.882 8/[971 McRae riage 3,64l.645 2/1972 Kunkle 3,685.129 8/]972 Jureit ct al 29/430 12 Claims. 43 Drawing Figures I 2 3 5 6 7 PLACE PLACE NOTGH PLACE PLACE NAIL STUDS PLATES PLATES STUDS HEADER ORIPPLE HEADER TO STUDS 8 CRIPPLE 8 9 IO II l2 l3 I4 I5 PLACE TACK PLACE NAIL REMOVE RETURN SI-EET SI-EET WINDOW SHEET WINDOW WINDOW WALL CARRIAGE MATERIAL MATERIAL APERTURE MATERIAL SECTION PATENTED AUG 1975 SHEET PATENTED AUG 51975 SHEET FIE 14 PATENTEU 51975 897. 620 SHEET 8 Q lw m 474 4w 47o PATENTEU MIG 5W5 3, 897. 620 SHEET 1 0 1 METHOD AND MEANS FOR MAKING A WALL SECTION Numerous types of construction devices are known in the prior art for use in making wooded structures such as wall sections, roof, trusses and other portions of wooded building structures. Generally, the prior art devices consist of a table with a plurality of board fastening fixtures thereon to support the board members and sheets for the structures. This type of prior art device is essentially a construction jig wherein the boards of the structure are placed in the jig in a secured position then the structure is nailed or glued together. In a manufacturing operation utilizing this type of device the individual sections are removed from the jigs then wall surfaces or coverings are added to complete the unit before it is assembled to form an entire structure. Another type of table structure known in the art and used for fabricating walls and the like is an elongated table having a conveyor apparatus to support and move the wall section in a jig relation past stations where work is done on the wall section by hand. -lig apparatus are known in the prior art which have a carriage movable under a plurality of automatic nailers to make wooded structures. This type of prior art device is specifically adapted for the construction of wooded pallet structures. Generally all the known prior art devices for construction pre-fabricated wooden structures must have the individual members thereof placed in the jig assemblies by hand and in some cases cut and sized by hand in place before the fixtures of the jig are tightened so the individual members nailed together. Also, these prior art devices utilize a great deal of hand work in nailing the several members of the structure together which is time consuming and tedious as well as involving a high labor cost since a great number of people are necessary to operate such a device at a substantially productive and profitable rate.

In one preferred specific embodiment, a method and means for making a wall section is provided including an assembly line type operation with a carriage having a jig apparatus thereon movable through a plurality of machines for inserting members in the jig apparatus, securing the members together, placing sheeting material on the members, securing it to them and another machine for placing windows in the wall section. The apparatus includes provisions for removal of completed wall sections from the carriage and returning the car riage to the start of the assembly line for returning therethrough. The apparatus for making a wall section is substantially all automatic with the members placed in the carriage by machines; the individual members secured together by automatic nailers; the sheeting material placed on the joined members by a machine and secured thereto by an automatic nailer; the window hole or holes cut by saw machines; windows placed in the wall section by a machine; and the windows secured by an automatic nailer. The carriage has provisions for selectively changing the individual positions of members thereon remotely to provide for constructing different designs of structures. The method of making a wall section accompanies the apparatus therefor and involves the steps of automatically placing the individual wall members, securing them together, placing sheeting material on the secured members and securing same and placing a window in the wall section if desired and removal of the completed wall section from the apparatus. The method of making a wall section is substantially carried out by the apparatus with hand operations involved only in supplying the apparatus with a stock of precut members.

One object of this invention is to provide a method and means for making a wall section overcoming the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art devices and methods therefor.

One other object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for making a wall section of the prefabricated type with the apparatus having a carriage movable through a plurality of machines to place individual members of the wall section on the carriage, secure the members together and remove the completed wall section from the carriage.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for making a wall section of the prefabricated type having a carriage which receives and supports stud members and plate members of the wall section, the carriage having a plurality of clamp devices closable when the stud member is placed therein for securing the stud members, and the carriage having a clamp apparatus to hold in a secured position the plate members transversely at the end of the stud members.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for making a wall section of the prefabricated type, the apparatus having a carriage with a plurality of remotely controllable clamp devices to be selectively positioned for the construction of wall sections and varyingly spaced and placed stud members.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for making a wall section of the prefabricated type, the apparatus having machines for placing stud members and plate members on the carriage; automatic nailers for securing the stud members and plate members together forming a frame; saws for cutting notches in the stud members for header members and cripple members for windows; machines to place header members and cripple members in the slotted stud, machines to place sheeting material on the secured plate and stud members; automatic nailers to secure sheeting to the frame of the stud and plate members; saws to cut apertures in the sheeting for windows; a machine to place prefabricated windows in the wall section; automatic nailers to secure windows to the wall section; and a lifting apparatus to remove the finished wall section from the carriage so the carriage can be returned to the start of the assembly line.

Yet, another object of this invention is to provide a method of making a wall section of the prefabricated type with the method generally including the steps of passing a carriage through a plurality of devices which place members of the wall section on the carriage securing them together and then removing the finished wall section and returning the carriage to the start of the assembly line for a repeat operation. Yet, a further object of this invention is to provide a method of making a wall section of the prefabricated type which is compatible with the above described apparatus for making a wall section; the method comprising the placing stud members and plate members together and securing them together, placing sheet material on an upper surface of the secured frame of the stud members and plate members, securing the sheet material to the stud and plate members, removing the wall section from the carriage, cutting an aperture in the sheet material and placing therein a window if desired, and removing the wall section from the support.

Various other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following discussion taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a strip diagram numbered 1 to 15 outlining the steps of the method associated with the apparatus of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the complete assembly line apparatus in two segments showing the carriage at the start of the assembly line and showing in dashed lines at the end of the assembly line a frame raising ap paratus;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the carriage on a supporting track;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the carriage on a supporting track;

FIG. 5 is an end elevation view of the carriage on the supporting track;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view ofa stud holding clamp in the carriage side member with the carriage side member shown in cross-section;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the stud holding clamp in the raised and closed position;

FIG. 8 is a transverse sectional view of the carriage taken on line 88 showing the plate holding clamp;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the electrical fluid apparatus used to control the holding clamps shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the stud dispenser machine stud dropping passageway and adjacent portions of the machine;

FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of the stud dispensing machine and a portion of the tracks;

FIG. 12 is a shortened top plan view of the stud dispensing machine shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of the stud end piercing clamp member of the lower stud clamp portion of the stud dispensing machine;

FIG. I4 is a side elevation view of the stud release clamp member of the upper stud clamp portion of the stud dispensing machine;

FIG. 15 is a side elevation view of the saw machine used for cutting the header members from lumber stock;

FIG. 16 is an end elevation view of the ejector machine used for ejecting the plate members and header members for placing the members on the carriage;

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the saw structure and ejector machines shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 over a narrowed portion of the track;

FIG. 18 is a side elevation view of the saw and ejector machines alongside a narrowed portion of the track, the ejector shown loaded with boards for ejection from the apparatus onto the carriage;

FIG. 19 is an end elevation view of the nailer ma chine used to nail the plate members to the stud members with a portion of the carriage adjacent thereto and shown in dashed lines;

FIG. 20 is a carriage side elevation view of an end portion of the nailer machine shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is an end elevation view of the saw machine used to cut notches in stud members for header and cripple members, the machine shown over a portion of the tracks;

FIG. 22 is a narrowed carriage side elevation view of the saw machine shown in FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a narrowed top plan view of the saw machine shown in FIGS. 21 and 22;

FIG. 24 is a narrowed carriage side elevation view of the nailer machine used to nail header members and cripple members to stud members, the machine shown over a portion of the tracks;

FIG. 25 is a narrowed top plan view of the nailer machine shown in FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a side elevation view of the sheeting material placer machine shown over a section of the track and showing a portion of the carriage;

FIG. 27 is a narrowed top plan view of the sheeting material placer machine over a section of the track;

FIG. 28 is an end elevation view of the saw machine used to make longitudinal cuts in the sheeting material for windows, the machine shown over a portion of the tracks;

FIG. 29 is a narrowed carriage side elevation view of the saw machine shown in FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 is a narrowed top plan view of the saw machine shown in FIGS. 28 and 29;

FIG. 31 is a narrowed top plan view of the saw machine used to make transverse cuts in the sheeting, for windows, the machine shown over a portion of the tracks;

FIG. 32 is a side elevation view of the upper portion of the saw machine shown in FIG. 31, showing the saws and saw moving portions of the machine;

FIG. 33 is a narrowed carriage end elevation view of the window placer machine shown over the carriage and its supporting tracks;

FIG. 34 is a side elevation view of the traveling window support clamp portion of the window placer machine shown in FIG. 33;

FIG. 35 is an end elevation view of the window nailer machine shown over a portion of the tracks;

FIG. 36 is a narrowed top plan view of the window nailer machine shown in FIG. 35;

FIG. 37 is an enlarged side elevation view of the nailers and supporting structure portion of the window nailer machine shown in FIGS. 35 and 36 showing the upper portion of a window in dashed lines in contact with the nailer shoes;

FIG. 38 is a side elevation view of the sheeting nailer machine shown over a segment of the track;

FIG. 29 is a narrowed carriage end view of the sheeting nailer machine shown in FIG. 38 and shown over the carriage with the nailer shoes contacting a wall section structure on the carriage;

FIG. 40 is an enlarged side elevation view of the assembly line end portion showing the carriage on the track end section with the end section in a raised position, a wall section raised above the carriage by the hoist, and in dashed lines the wall section on the carriage and the track end section in a lowered return posltion;

FIG. 41 is a sectional elevation view of a side of the carriage frame showing a trigger pin assembly and a portion of a plate clamp;

FIG. 42 is a narrowed end elevation view of the sheeting material tacker machine with the carriage having a wall section shown therein;

FIG. 43 is an end elevation view of the sheeting material tacker machine shown in FIG. 42.

The following is a discussion and description of preferred specific embodiments of the method and apparatus for making a wall section of this invention, such being made with reference to the drawings, whereupon the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts and/or structure. It is to be understood that such discussion and description is not to unduly limit the scope of the invention.

In referring to the drawings and in particular to Sheet 1 thereof, such shows in FIG. 1 a diagram generally indicated at ll, enumerating and identifying the several steps of the process of making a wall section of this invention which is carried out by the apparatus shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows a side elevation view of the assembly line like apparatus generally indicated at of this invention. The apparatus 10 includes a carriage l2 movable on tracks 14 through a plurality of separate machines which place wooden members on the carriage, nail them together forming a frame, place sheet material on the frames, cut holes in sheeting material for windows and place windows therein nailing same in place. The plurality of machines in the apparatus includes a stud placer machine 16 adapted to place stud members transversely in holding clamps on the carriage 12; a plate placer machine 18 adapted to place plate member at the ends of a stud members in holding clamps on the carriage 12; a nailer machine 20 adapted to nail through the plate members into the ends of the stud members; the saw machine 22 to cut notches in the stud members for placement of header members and cripple members at a window location; a header placer machine 24 adapted to place header members in notched portions of the stud members; and cripple placer machine 26 adapted to place cripple members in notch portions of the stud members; a nailer machine 28 adapted to nail through the header members and cripple members into the studs for securing the header members and cripple members to the studs; a sheet material placing machine 30 to place sheets of wall covering material on the upper surface of the frame formed by the plate members and stud members; a sheet material tacker machine 32 adapted to nail through the sheet material at the corners thereof securing same to the plate members; window saw machines 34 and 36 adapted to make transverse and longitudinal cuts respectively through the sheet material to form an aperture therein to receive a prefabricated window assembly; a nailer machine 38 to nail through the sheeting material into the plate and stud members to secure the sheet material thereto; a window placer machine 40 adapted to place prefabricated window assemblies in the aperture cut through the sheeting material a nailer machine 42 to nail through the window frames and sheeting material to secure the prefabricated windows to the stud and header members hoist 44 to remove the finished wall section from the carriage l2; and lifts 46 and 47 at the finished end and at the start end of the assembly line 10 to raise and lower the end segment of the tracks 14 for transfer of the carriage 12 between the sets of rails 48 and 50 from the finished end of the assembly line to the beginning of the assembly line 10.

The assembly line apparatus 10 is preferably arranged in an elongated line with the plurality of machines positioned in an end-to-end relationship. The tracks 14 consist of two sets of tracks, one directly above the other. The upper set of tracks has a pair of rails 48 and provides support for the carriage 12 as it moves through the machines where operations are performed in making the wall sections. The lower portion of tracks is preferably positioned directly beneath the upper set of tracks and has a pair of rails indicated at 50. The second set of tracks or the lower tracks are used for a carriage return from the end of the assembly line to the start of the assembly line. The rails 48 of the upper tracks are supported by the structure of the several machines and can be supported by a plurality of support posts or uprights along the length thereof. The rails 50 of the lower track can be attached to the floor on which the plurality of machines set or they can be supported from the machine structures in a spaced relation to the upper track. The starting end segment of the track and the finished end of the track are preferably alternately connectable between the upper track and lower track for moving the carriage between tracks at the beginning and end of the operation. The specific structure of the track end segment and lifts will be discussed hereinafter in conjunction with the finished end portion of the assembly line apparatus 10.

A carriage 12 is shown in detail in FIGS. 4 through 9 on Sheet 2 of the drawings. The carriage 12 has a rectangular frame structure indicated at 54 which is formed of a plurality of hollow members. The carriage frame 54 has end members 58 and 60, side members 56 and 58, and end members 58 and 60 connected therewith the end member 60 is at the normally forward end of the carriage 12. Two pairs of cross-bracing members with the members thereof indicated at 57 and 59 join in the portions of the carriage frame 54 to the center portion thereof to provide a substantially rigid frame structure; however these braces can be eliminated if the carriage can be constructed sufficiently rigid without them. Preferably, the carriage 12 is constructed in the form shown in FIGv 3 with the longitudinal axis thereof substantially elongated relative to the transverse axis thereof. Wheel support members 62 extend downward from the carriage frame side members 56 and 58 to support the wheels 64 on an axle 66 for movement of the carriage 12 on the tracks 14. Preferably the wheels 64 are flanged wheels as shown in FIG. 5 with the flange thereof on the inner side thereof to extend over the inner portion of the rails 48. The wheels 64 are preferably rigidly secured to the axle 66 to insure an even motion of the carriage 12 as it moves on the rails 48 of the tracks. An electric motor is mounted with the carriage frame 54 and connected with an axle by a drive apparatus 67 for propelling the carriage 12 on the tracks 14. The motor 65 is preferably reversible so it will move the carriage in a forward or reverse direction.

The carriage frame side members 56 and 58 are preferably rectangular hollow members as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 in order to provide a cavity therein to accomodate the stud clamp apparatus. The carriage frame end members 58 and 60 are preferably channel-like members to receive and support movable portions of the plate clamp apparatus. FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 show in detail a typical stud member clamp, indicated generally at 70 of the stud clamp apparatus. The stud clamp apparatus has stud member clamps positioned at regularly spaced intervals along the carriage frame and side members 56 and 58. These regularly spaced clamps 70 are adapted to support opposite ends of stud members preferably, the stud clamp members are positioned every 5.333 inches along the carriage frame side member 56 and 58 so that a stud member can be supported by stud clamps with its elongated axis being transverse to the elongated axis of the carriage 12. The stud clamps 70 are constructed so they will open when raised in order that a stud member can be dropped vertically into the clamp and the clamp will close to the position shown in FIG. 6 with the jaws thereof pressing on the sides of a stud member securing same in the clamp. The stud clamps are mounted in the hollow side members to be extendable when needed. As shown in FIG. 6 the side members have a bottom member 72 and the top member 74. The stud clamp 70 has a piston and cylinder lifting member with the cylinder indicated at 76 and the piston indicated at 78. The clamp 70 has a fixed side member 80 attached to a base 72 on the upper end of the piston 78 with a lower inwardly extending ledge portion 84 and a movable or pivotable side member 86 mounted with the base 72 at a pivot joint 88. On the pivot side of the clamp a guide member 90 extends below the pivot joint 88 and a stop member 92 extends above the pivot joint 88 to limit pivotable movement of the pivotal clamp side member 86. On the upper end portion of the pivotable clamp side member 86 a threaded rod member 94 extending therefrom and has a weight 96 thereon. When the clamp 70 is extended and no stud member is in the jaws thereof it will open with the pivotally mounted side 86 resting on the stop member 92, (such position is not shown in the drawings). In the closed position, shown in FIG. 6, a stud member indicated by the dashed lines and the numeral 98 is placed in the jaw of the clamp 70 with the jaw members 80 and 86 in contact with them. As the stud member 90 is dropped into the clamp. the pivotable side member 86 rotates about the pivot point 88 to close the clamp into the position shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 7 shows a top view of the stud clamp 70 in the closed position without a stud member and the jaw thereof. In the open position without a stud in the jaw of the clamp it will move by itself to assume the described open position. The upper carriage side member 74 has an open ing 99 and a recessed portion with a recessed portion formed by a vertical portion 100 and a horizontal portion 102 as shown in FIG. 6 to enclose the clamp and counter weight 96 when the stud clamp 70 is in the retracted position. When the clamp 70 is in the open position the guide 90 and fixed clamp side member 80 can contact sides of the opening 99 to prevent rotation of the clamp and the pistons 78 relative to the cylinder 76 and the carriage frame 54 thereby maintaining the clamps 70 in a proper position to receive a stud when the clamp is raised.

Raising and lowering the stud supporting clamps 70 is accomplished by an air operated actuator control system within the hollow side members 56 and 58. A high pressure air supply line 106 connected with the source of air pressure and used to operate piston and cylinder actuator devices mounted with the clamps 70. Preferably the air line of 106 is connected with the source of air of a relatively high pressure by a flexible conduit such as a hose that can be joined with and pulled by the carriage 12 as it moves in the assembly line. A solenoid operated two position valve 108 is connected with the cylinder 76 by a conduit 110. A T- fitting 112 joins the air line 106 to the unit of the solenoid operated valve 108. The valve 108 has an exhaust port "4 used to discharge air for retraction of the pis ton 78. An electrical solenoid 116 with wires [18 connected thereto operates the valve. The valve 108 opens when the solenoid 116 is energized to pass air from the air line 106 into the cylinder 76 for raising the clamp 70. Preferably de-energizing the solenoid 116 opens the valves discharge port 114 and allows air in the cylinder 76 to be discharged into the atmosphere thereby lowering the clamp 70. FIG. 9 shows a schematic diagram of a portion of the air-electrical control system with the valve 108, solenoid 116 and air line indicated by the respective numerals and including a switch 120 connected between a power source 122 and the solenoid. The plurality of the stud supporting clamps and other electrically controlled devices of this invention will be described hereinafter are preferably controllable from a single control point. FIG. 3 shows in the lower left hand portion thereof a control panel 124 having a plurality of switches which is connected by a cable 126 to the frame of the carriage. Preferably the control apparatus has switches to individually activate each of the plurality of solenoid actuated devices on the carriage and the control panel can be moved with the carriage and carried therewith through the assembly line or it can be remotely mounted and connected by a cable which is pulled with a carriage 12 through the assembly. The control panel 124 shown in FIG. 3 is intended to illustrate the connection of a control apparatus with the carriage l2 and does not necessarily represent the specific control apparatus necessary to control all the plurality of solenoid activated devices on the specific carriage I2.

The carriage 12 has a plate member clamping apparatus generally indicated at 130 adapted to support plate members and the ends of the stud members and pull same into contact therewith for retaining same in a rigid position during the assembly line operation. The plate member clamping apparatus 130 includes clamping bar members 132 mounted transversely with the carriage frame 54 having clamp end members 134 and spacer members 135 on the exposed outer ends thereof, clamping bar member supports 136 extending longitudinally through the frame supporting the inner ends of the clamping bar members 132 and a plurality of piston and cylinder devices 138 connected between the clamping bar support members 136 and the inner side of the carriage frame 54. The clamping bar members I32 are moved inward and outward relative to the center of the carriage frame 54 to move the clamp end members 134 inward and outward to contact the plate members when placed on the carriage 12. The clamping bars support members 136 extend the length of the carriage l2 and are supported at their ends in channellike frame end members 58 and 60. Each of the clamping bar members 132 is rigidly secured on its inner end to the clamping bar support member I36 and slidably supported in a bearing 140 at the side members. FIG. 8 shows in detail the side members 58 and a plate clamp. Movement of the clamping bar support members 136 is accomplished by the pistons and cylinder devices 138. The pistons and cylinder devices 138 are shown in FIG. 3 with the cylinder portion secured to the support members 136 and the piston end portion secured to the inner side of the frame 54. The outer end portion of the clamping bar is preferably constructed as shown in detail in FIG. 8 with the spacer member 135 connected between the end of the bar 132 and the upright clamp member 134. The spacer members 135 are used in operation to support the plate members at the same vertical level as the stud members. As shown in FIG. 8 the upper surface of the side member 58 and the upper surface of the spacer member 135 are in the same plane. When the carriage 12 is in use and moving through the assembly line, the plate clamp apparatus has a clamping bar 132 extended substantially from the carriage frame 54 with the clamp end plate members 134 pulled into contact with the outer side of the plates and kept in position by the piston and cylinder devices 138. Preferably, the plate clamping devices are constructed to extend approximately four feet from the edge of the carriage thereby enabling the carriage end assembly line apparatus to produce a wall section of approximatley 14 feet in width or height. Control of the piston and cylinder devices 138 of the plate clamp apparatus 130 is accomplished by an electrically actuated air control system having a control valve connected with the air line in the frame side members 56 and 58. The specific solenoid actuated control valve for the plate clamp apparatus 130 is not shown in the drawings; however, such requires only a single control valve similar to the one shown in FIG. 6 and described in conjunction therewith as the plurality of piston and cylinder devices 138 must move together in a uniform operation. When the carriage is in use and the plate clamp apparatus 130 is in contact with plate members and a constant pressure must be maintained in the operating cylinders so the clamp apparatus 130 will remain in a fixed position.

An additionally control apparatus which is a part of the carriage 12 is a plurality of solenoid operated trigger pins which are extendable from the outer side of the carriage frame side members 56 and 58 and are used for controlling operation of the plurality of machines in the assembly line. FIG. 41 on Sheet of the drawings shows in section a side member of the carriage frame 54 and a solenoid actuated trigger pin apparatus, generally indicated at 150. The solenoid actuator trigger pin apparatus 150 is preferably mounted in the hollow confines of the frame side members in a lower portion thereof as shown and is attached to the bottom 72 frame side member. The frame side members have a bottom 72, a top member 74, an outer side 52 and an inner side 154. The solenoid actuator trigger pin apparatus 150 has an electrically actuated solenoid 156 with a trigger pin 158 extendable thereby through an aperature in the outer frame side 152. The solenoid 156 is connected by wires 160 to the control apparatus previously described in conjunction with the stud holding clamps 70. The solenoid actuated trigger apparatuses 150 are preferably individually and selectively controllable to extend or retract the pin members as desired. Preferably the solenoid actuator triggers 150 are positioned adjacent to the stud holding clamps 70 and are in the same relative position for each set of clamps so the trigger pin member 158 of each such trigger apparatus will be in the same position relative to the fixed side portion of the jaws of the clamps 70 and such is necessary for proper and precise operation of the assembly line apparatus 10 of this invention. The solenoid 156 has an induction coil therein adapted to produce an electromagnetic field to influence a magnetic element on the trigger pin 158 which will cause it to be extended or retracted depending upon the direction of the flux flow of the magnetic field. FIG. 41 shows the trigger pin member 158 in the extended position; in the retracted position the outer end of the pin member is preferably flush with the frame side 152. The pin member 158 in the extended position extends substantially from the frame side member 152 so during use in the assembly line control switch actuator levers on several of the plurality of machines in the assembly line can contact the pin to activate the switches and in turn control the machines. The specific machines controlled by the trigger pin apparatus is indicated with the discussion of the particular machines. The relative spacing of the solenoid actuated trigger pin device and the stud member holding clamp 70 is shown in FIG. 7 wherein the trigger pin 158 is extended from the side member 152 in a position substantially spaced from the fixed jaw side of the clamp 70 so in normal forward motion of the carriage 12 the trigger pin 158 will precede the clamp apparatus 70.

On the normally forward end portion of the carriage 12, a sheet material stop apparatus 164 is attached. The stop apparatus 164 has an arm member 166 extending forwardly and upwardly from the forward carriage end member 60 as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. An adjustably positionable stop member 168 is mounted through the upper end portion of the arm 166. The stop member 68 is mounted in a generally horizontal position extending through the arm 166 and has a head or enlarged portion of the side thereof as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The stop is adjustable in its position and relative spacing from the arm 166. The stop 168 is spaced above the stud holding clamps 70 to catch and stop the forward edge of sheeting material placed on the stud and plate frame work as sheeting material is added to the structure of the assembly line operation. The stop 168 is adjustable to allow for sheeting material to be aligned exactly with the edge of the end stud or to overhand the edge of the end stud as desired by the user. Adjustment of the sheeting materials stop and is done before a wall section started. Two of the stops 168 are provided to provide for catching to substantially spread portions of a sheet of material, this is desirable as a single sheet of material is normally sized to span the entire height of a wall section and is approximately 4 feet in width. The succeeding segments of sheeting material placed on the plate and stud frame work weld about the trailing edge of the first sheet placed on the carriage 12.

The stud placing machine 16 is shown on Sheet 3 of the drawings in FIGS. 10 and 14. The stud placing ma chine 16 is the first machine in the assembly line 10 and is constructed to, in operation, place stud members in the stud holding clamps 70 on the carriage 12 as the carriage 12 moves through the machine. The stud placing machine includes a frame 170 upon which a quantity of studs, indicated at 172, are placed for removal by the removal apparatus 174 that is mounted with a vertical frame 176, an upper stud clamp and stud turning device 178 and a lower dispensing clamp 180. The frame structure 170 upon which the studs 172 are placed is transverse to the assembly line and is constructed to receive a bundle of precut stud members thereon with a bundle in a rectangular form as shown. A platform 182 on the forward side of a frame provides access to the frame 170 for placing bundles of studs thereon. The removal apparatus 174 moves up and down on the vertical frame 176 and is supported on both sides of the machine. The removal apparatus 174 is constructed with similar side members 174 on the sides thereof with the side members 184 being mounted with the frame 176 and movable up and down in a track thereon. The side members 184 are raised and lowered by a cable apparatus 188 powered by a motor 186. On the side members 184 is mounted the stud removing portion of the appratus which is similar on both sides of the machine. The removal device includes an elongated puller bar member 190 having a notched upper portion and a catch on the bottom thereof as swhon in FIG. 11, a ratchet member 192 operated by a motor and drive apparatus 194. The catch 91 hooks over the edge of the end most stud of the top row so that row of studs can be pulled by the bar 190. A top of the bar 190 is notched to receive the pointed portion of the ratchet member 192 with the notches in a spaced relation to the width of the stud members. The ratchet drive apparatus 194 has a motor and appropriate gearing so as to extend the ratchet member and retract the ratchet member upon command from the control system of the machine to move the bar member 190 in order to move or pull the studs one at a time into the upper clamp 178. In continuous operation of the stud dispensing machine 16 the bar 190 is moved across the bundle of studs 172 until the last stud in the roll had been dispensed, then the arm is extended in the same manner in which it is retracted, and then the removal apparatus 174 is lowered to the next row of studs whereupon the removal operation is continued.

FIG. shows in detail a portion of the upper clamp apparatus taken on FIG. 12 showing a quantity of studs in the opening through which the studs pass. FIG. 14 shows the holding and release member of the upper clamp 178. The upper clamp apparatus 178 has an upright member 196 on the side thereof adjacent to the bundle of studs 172 with the upright member terminating at the bottom of the top row of studs indicated at 198; this upright member holds the rows of studs below the top row 198 in place as the top row is pulled over the second row. Another upright member 200, in the center portion of the upright members 196 and 200 a pair of protrusions 202 and 204 extend inward from the inner sides thereof respectively as shown in the combination of FIGS. 10 and 12. The space between the upright members 196 and 200 provides an opening, indicated generally at 205 for the studs to pass. At the end of the opening 205 and the ends of the removal apparatus a stud catch is provided to catch the end of the stud members when they are pulled into position to pass through the opening 205. FIG. 14 shows in side elevation the stud end catch arm indicated at 206. The stud catch arm 206 has an inwardly extending portion 208 aligned with the top of the upright member 196 to receive the end of a stud such as the stud indicated at 210 in FIG. 10, to hold same until the proper time for its release. The stud catch arm 206 has a support arm 212 with the extended portion 208 on its lower end, a pivot attachment 214 on the upper end of the support arm 212 and a second arm portion 216 used for rotation for the support arm 212 about the pivotal attachment 214. Preferably the stud catch arm 206 is pivoted by an electrical solenoid (not shown in the drawings]. In operation the catch arm 206 supports the ends of the stud 210 when it is moved to the opening 205. As the stud member to be dropped it is moved by the removal apparatus 174 into the area of opening where the ends of the stud are supported on the extended catch portions 208. As the stud is dropped the center portion of the stud will strike either of the protrusions 202 or 204 which will in turn rotate the stud about its elongated axis so it will fall with the crown portion thereof up and move downward into the lower clamp apparatus 108 on the bottom portion of the stud placing maching 16. As

a stud is passed through an opening 205 the removal apparatus 174 has the ratchet drive motor 194 actuated by the control system of the machine to pull the top row of studs 198 so as to place another stud on the stud end catch as described. The lower clamp apparatus 180 has a chute 220 supported on the frame 170 to receive therein two stud members in a vertical position one above the other for releasing the same into the stud supporting clamps on the carriage 12. A guide 222 extends upward and outward from the chute 220 to guide the studs in downward motion from upward clamp apparatus 178 so they will pass properly into the opening of the chute 220. The stud end catch for the lower clamp apparatus 180 as shown in FIG. 13 and generally indicated at 224. The stud end clamp 224 is supported at a pivot 226 from the walls of the chute 220. The stud end clamp 224 has an upper portion 228 with a plurality of spike members 229 extending there through and it has a lower L-shaped portion 230 to support the lower stud member with the extended portion thereof 232 being below the end of the stud member. Preferably, the stud end clamp 224 is shaped as shown in FIG. 13 and pivotable about its center portion 234. In use the stud end clamp 224 is in a position shown in FIG. 13 with the ends of one stud resting on the extended portion of the L-shaped portion 232 of its lower portion and the second stud rests on top of the first stud. As needed, the end clamp 234 is rotated about he pivotal mount 236 to release the lower stud and grasp the upper stud with the spikes 229. After the lower stud is dropped away, the clamp is rotated back to the position shown in FIG. 13 whereupon the upper stud drops to the lower portion of the clamp and is retained by the extended portion 232 and another stud is dropped from the upper clamp assembly 178 to rest on top of the stud now in place at the lower clamp assembly 180. Rotation of the stud end clamp 224 is preferably accomplished by a solenoid actuator, (not shown in the drawings).

The control system for the stud placing machine 16 is electrical and is initiated in operation as the carriage 12 moves under or through the machine 16; it is specifically constructed to be actuated by the stud holding clamps 70 on the carriage 12. The control apparatus includes control switch 236 mounted with the chute 220 on the lower clamp apparatus 180. The control switch has an arm 238 with an end member, such as a roller 240 on the end thereof. The control switch arm 238 is positioned so that it will strike the forward jaw member of the stud holding clamps 70 when they are in the extended position as shown in FIG. 11. The control switch 236 and arm 238 can be adjusted in position so studs will be dropped at the proper time to pass correctly into jaws of the stud holding clamps 70. The switch 236 is actuated only when a stud holding clamp is in the raised position. Therefore, no studs will be dropped unless the clamps are raised to receive them. Sequencing of the other electrical controls for this machine 16 associated with the stud removal apparatus can be connected with the control switch 236 as it controls the time at which the studs are dropped from the machine.

FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 show in detail the structure of the plate placer machine 18 which is the second machine in the assembly line 10. The plate placer machine 18 is the machine which places plate members in the plate holding clamps on the carriage 12. The plate placing machine 18 is shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 on one side of the assembly line to illustrate the features of the machine. The assembly line should have two such machines, one on each side of the line positioned to be on opposed sides of the carriage 12 in an opposed relation for placing plate members on both sides of the carriage l2 simultaneously. Along with the plate placer machine 18 is a saw machine 244 positioned adjacent to the plate placer machine and used to cut a stock of material for the plate placer machine. FIG. 15 shows the saw machine 244 inside view.

The plate placer machine 18 includes a frame 246 in the form of a table like structure having an ejector device 248 to move a quantity of plate members 250 for dispensing. The frame 246 has a planar top surface 252 on which the quantity of plate members 250 are laid in a flat position as shown in FIG. 18. The ejector device has a motor drive eccentric moving an arm 254 and ratchet 256 mechanism which is operable to slide the plate members over the top 252 one at a time to the dropping passageway, indicated generally at 258. The dropping passageway 258 is an opening with a catch device at opposite ends thereof to receive a plate member to the drop and hold same until the proper time for its dispensing of same. The passageway to 258 has side members 262 and 264 with interior protrusions 266 and 268 respectively which are adapted to contact the crown side or curve side of the plate member so the plate member will drop with the crown portion thereof up. The catch in 260 are similar to those shown in FIG. 14 and generally indicated at 206 as described in conjunction with the stud dispensing machine 16. The catch device 260 grasp the ends of the plate member to be dropped holding same in position until actuated to release the plate member. Preferably, the catch devices 260 are solenoid actuated by electrical controls and operated to release the plate member through the passageway 258. As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 the top 252 of the frame 246 is extended from the upright portion of the frame; this is necessary so the point from which the plate members are dropped is aligned properly with the position on the carriage on which it could be dropped. Preferably, the frame top 252 is adjustable laterally from the upright portion of the frame 246 so the drop point can be adjusted accordingly. Shown in dashed lines on the right hand portion of FIGS. 17 and 18 is the passageway portion of the frame top, such being indicated generally at 270. Preferably, the frame tops extended end portion 270 can be adjusted over a wide range so as to be extendable over the center por' tion of the carriage 12. When in use, the opening 258 is positioned relative to the carriage as shown in FIG. 18 wherein a portion of the carriage is shown in dashed lines. The plate member to be drawn passes through the opening to the end portion 258 and drops into the plate member holding clamp apparatus adjacent and adjacent to the end of a stud 272 already partially supported by the block member 135 of the plate member holding clamp. Actuation of the plate placer machine 18 is accomplished by the use of a control switch 274 mounted below the frame top 252 and spaced as shown in FIG. 18 to contact the upright end member 134 of the plate member holding clamp. The control switch 274 is preferably positioned at the end of the plate placer machine 18 so the carriage 12 will move into po sition under the extended portion of the machine and then contact the control switch 274 which actuates the machine 18. During operation of the plate placer ma chine 18 the carriage 12 is necessarily stopped and remains stationary until the plate members are dispensed to the carriage.

The saw machine 224 is usable with in conjunction with the plate placer machine 18 and is used to supply precut lengths of material to the plate placer machine 18. FIG. 15 shows the saw machine 224 in a side view and FIGS. 17 and show it in position adjacent to the plate placer machine 18. The saw machine 224 includes a frame structure 278, a top 280 with a saw supporting structure 282 on one end thereof mounting a circular saw 284, and having a measuring stop 286 on the other end thereof. The measuring stop 286 is clearly adjustable to allow quantities of plate members to be cut at different lengths. The saw 284 is suupported from the saw supporting structure 282 by a slidable mount 288 so it can be drawn transversely across the top 280 for cutting the board. In use the saw machine 244 is operated by hand wherein a person moves an elongated board 290 over the top 280 moving it against the stop member 286 so the person can move the saw on the slidable mount 288 and cut the board whereupon it can be placed on the adjacent plate placer machine 18 for use. The saw machine 224 is adapted to provide a means of readily supplying the plate ejector machine 18 with a stock of material. An advantage of having the saw 224 next to the plate placer machine 18 is that wall sections of different lengths can be readily constructed since different lengths of plate members easily movable to the adjacent plate placer machine; this saves time, effort and confusion in cutting the proper size and quantity of plate members needed if different lengths of wall sections are to be produced in an assembly fashion.

FIGS. 19 and 20 on Sheet 5 of the drawings shows the nailer machine 20 which is operable to nail through the plate members into the ends of the stud members to secure same together. The nailer machine 20 follows the plate placer machine ll8 in the assembly line 10. The nailer machine 20 spans the assembly line transversely extending over the carriage and will operate as the carriage 12 moves slowly therethrough, to nail the plate members to the stud members securing the frame work of the wall section being constructed. The nailer ma chine 20 includes a frame 294 which supports a pair of nailers 296 on the ends thereof to nail through the plate members into the stud members. The frame 294 has upright ends 298 secured with an upper frame portion 300 that spans the assembly line. A hold down roller assembly is mounted with the outer end portion of the upper frame portion 300 and functions to exert downward measure on the frame formed by the plate members and the stud members to align same properly during the nailing operation. The hold down roller assem bly has a roller 302 supported in a yoke 304 that is mounted on a shaft 306 extending vertically through the upper frame portion 300. The shaft 306 supporting the yoke 304 has a spring thereon indicated at 308 to exert downward pressure on the yoke 304 and turn on the roller 302 to press downward on the plate and stud framework to properly align same. The hold down roller assembly insures that the plate and stud framework is in the proper position when nailed as such may be necessary depending upon the amount of warpage if any that is present in the members. FIG. 20 shows a plate member 310 and a stud member 312 in the proper position for nailing below the roller 302 and supported on the plate member clamp apparatus 130. The nailers 296 are individually indicated at 314 and 316 and are preferably adjustably mounted with the frame structure 294 by a mount (now shown in the drawings) so they may be positioned at the desired position relative to the carriage 12 and relative to the plate and stud framework. The nailers 314 and 316 are preferably mounted in the general position shown to place two nails through the plate member 310 into the end of the stud member 312.

The nailers 296 are preferably pneumatic and are triggered for operation by a control switch 318 mounted with the frame structure 294. The control switch 318 has an actuator lever 320 which contacts the stud members 312 as the carriage moves through the machine 20. As the actuator lever 320 is moved the nailers 296 are actuated accordingly to place the nails. The nailers 296 are not actuated unless a stud member contacts the lever 320 of the control switch 318. Pref erably, the control switch and the nailers 296 are sequenced such that the carriage 12 may move slowly through the nailer machine without stopping while the nails are placed in the plate and stud framework. Additionally, it is to be noted that the nailers 296 must be provided with shoes or the like so the nail outlets thereof will pass over the end members 124 of the plate member holding clamp apparatus 130 as the carriage 12 moves through the machine. In the event that it is desirable for the carriage 12 to stop as the nailers 296 are actuated such can be done by connecting the con trol switch 318 with the nailers 296 and with the propelling motor 65 on the carriage 12 to affect this pause in the operation. As the carriage 12 moves through the nailer machine 20, the nailer on opposite sides of the machine will nail simultaneously to secure opposite ends of the stud members to the plate members.

The nailers 314 and 316 and other nailers shown and described hereinafter are preferably a pneumatic type of nail driving devices well known and widely used in the art of prefabricated construction. The nailing devices generally are constructed to receive a quantity of nails in a strip like form with the shank portions of the nails being parallel and operable to drive the nails as required. The nailing devices can be actuated as the nailer device is pushed against an object such as a board or the device can be actuated by a trigger or the like. In operation of such nailer devices is quite rapid therefore requiring only a minimal pause in motion for the device to be actuated.

FIGS. 21, 22 and 23 on Sheet 5 show in detail the saw machine 22 used to cut notches and the stud members for placement of header members and cripple members at the window locations. The saw machine 22 follows the nailer machine 20 in the assembly line. The saw machine 22 includes a frame structure, indicated generally at 324 which spans the assembly line transversely and has mounted thereon a pair of saws 326 and 327 supported on a saw lifting apparatus 328. The saw lifting apparatus 328 is adapted to raise and lower the saws 326 and 327 for making the appropriate cuts in the stud members of the wall section frame on the carriage 12 as it passes through the saw machine 22. The frame structure 324 includes upright end members 330 on opposite sides of the assembly line connected by a top member 332 to form a rigid support for the saw lifting apparatus. The saw lifting apparatus 328 includes an elongated saw support member 324 spanning the assembly line and supported on the end by an arm 336 pivotally mounted with the frame end 330. A pair of hydraulic piston and cylinder devices 338 are secured to the frame ends 330 and secured to the arm 336 to pivot same for raising and lowering the saws. The saws 336 and 337 are similarly mounted on the support member 324; they have a motor connected to an elongated arbor which has mounted thereon a plurality of circular saw blades in a side-by-side fashion. The saws 326 and 237 are preferably structurally the same including their mounting with the support member 324 and for description purposes they bear the same numerals. FIG. 23 shows in detail the saw mount, which includes a collar 340 slidably mounted on a supporting member 334, a pair of saw end support members 342 extending from the ends of the collar 340 and secured to the structure of the saw motor and/or blade shield structure. The saws have a motor 334 and an attached elongated blade shield structure 346. The saw motors 324 are provided with an elongated arbor on which a plurality of saw blades or the like can be mounted. For safety reasons the saw blades are partly enclosed in the blade shield structure 346. The saw indicated at 326 has a plurality of blades indicated at 348 and the saw indicated at 327 has a plurality of blades indicated at 350. The width of the cut made by the separate saws 326 and 327 can be changed by varying the blades 348 and 350 mounted therein respectively in order to achieve the desired width of cut in the stud members for placing the header members and cripple members of the wall section frame structure. FIGS. 21 and 22 show the saws 326 and 327 in a lowered position or the position which they assume when making cuts through the stud members. In the raised position (not shown in the drawings) the saws would be raised to a position substantially above the carriage and the wall sections frame thereon.

The saw machine 22 is provided with a control system that will lower the saws into position as required to cut notches in the stud members of the wall section frame as required. The control system for the saw machine 22 has a control switch 352 with an actuator arm 354 that is contacted by the pin members 158 of the solenoid actuated trigger pin apparatus on the carriage 12. The control switch 352 is mounted by a support arm 356 with a frame end member 330 in the position shown in FIGS. 21, 22 and 23. The control system is constructed and sequenced in operation so the saws will be lowered to the operating position slightly ahead of the stud members in order that a uniform cut is made through the stud members as the carriage passes. In operating the control system of the saw machine 22, it is necessary to have a trigger pin in the extended position to initiate the sequence of lowering of the saws and starting of the saw motors 344 and it is necessary to have another trigger pin in the extended position which will contact the actuator arm 354 and cause the saws 326 and 327 to be raised at the end of the cut. During the sawing operation. it will not be necessary for the carriage 12 to stop as it moves through the saw machine 322.

FIG. 1 on Sheet 1 shows a header placer machine 44 immediately following the saw machine 22 and a cripple placer machine 26 immediately following the header placer machine 24. The header placer machine 24 and the cripple placer machine 26 are constructed and adapted to place the header members and cripple members in the slot formed in the stud members of the wall section frame of the carriage. The header placer machine 24 and the cripple placer machine 26 are constructed sutstantially the same as the plate placer machine 18 shown in FIGS. l6, l7 and 18 of the drawings and for this reason are not duplicated in the drawings. The header placer machine 24 and plate placer machine 26 are substantially the same as the plate placer machine 18 with the exception that they are substantially shorter longitudinally and the machines top 252 is extended so the header members and cripple mem bers are placed in appropriate portions on the wall section frame. The header placing machine 24 has the machine top extended past the outer edge portion of the carriage, inward relative to the center of the carriage, so as to place the header members in the appropriate notch cut in the stud members particularly at what will be the top portion of the window. The cripple placer machine 26 is constructed with the top portion of the machine extended past the outer edge of the carriage, inward relative to the center of the carriage so as to place the cripple member in the appropriate slot which in the stud members, particularly at the bottom portion of the window.

The control system used with the header placer machine 24 and cripple placer machine 26 uses a control switch similar to that for the saw machine 22 and positioned to contact the trigger pins on the carriage 12 which are used by the saw machine 22 in cutting the notches for the header and cripple members. During operation of the header placer machine 24 and the cripple placer machine 26 motion of the carriage 12 must necessarily be stopped so the header member and cripple members can be properly placed. First, the carriage must stop at the header placer machine 24 so the header member can be properly placed; then the carriage must advance to the cripple placer machine and again stop so the cripple member can be properly placed; and then the carriage can proceed. It is to be noted that a saw machine such as the saw machine 244 shown in FIGS. 15, 17 and 18 can be used with the header placer machine 24 and cripple placer machine 26. The saw 244 or a similar saw machine or machines can be placed adjacent to the header and cripple placer machine 24 and 26 respectively as desired by the user.

FIGS. 24 and 25 on Sheet 6 of the drawings shows a nailer machine 28 which nails through the header members and cripple members into the studs for securing the header members and cripple members to the studs. The nailer machine 28 follows the cripple placer machine 26 in a postion with the assembly line 10. The nailer 28 includes a frame structure which spans the assembly line transversely and has mounted thereon two sets of nailers indicated at 362 and 364 respectively. The set of nailers 362 in use secure the header members to the stud members and the other set of nailers 364 secures the cripple members to stud members. Normally in home construction the cripple member is not substantially secured to the stud members; however, in the assembly line production operation of this invention is believed that vibration will cause the cripple members to be displaced from their proper position if not secured. The frame structure 360 includes upright side members 366 and 368 on opposite sides of the assembly line which are connected by a movably mounted upper member 370. The movable mounted upper member 370 is secured to the upper ends of the frame uprights 366 and 368 by an elevator device which will raise and lower the upper member 370 and the sets of nailers 362 and 364. The elevator devices connecting the upper members 370 and the frame uprights 366 and 368 are similar and are preferably motor driven screw type jacks. The elevator devices include motors 372 mounted above the upper frame member 370 having threaded members 374 that extend through end portions 376 of the upper member 370 and are rotatably mounted in the frame uprights 366 and 368. Rotation of the threaded members 374 by the motors 372 will rotate the threaded members in the upper frame members ends 376 and thereby cause the upper member 370 to be raised or lowered relative to the frame uprights 366 and 368 and relative to the ground. The motors 372 are necessarily reversible in direction of rotation to provide for raising and lowering and selective vertical adjustment of the upper frame member 370.

The elevator devices include motors 372 mounted above the upper frame member 370 connected with threaded members 374 that extend through end portions 376 of the upper frame member 370 and are rotatably mounted in the frame uprights 366 and 368. Rotation of the threaded members 374 by the motors 372 will rotate the threaded members 374 in the upper frame member ends 376 and thereby cause the upper member 370 to be raised or lowered relative to the frame uprights 366 and 368 and relative to the ground. The motors 372 are necessarily reversible in direction of rotation to provide for selective vertical adjustment of the upper frame member 370.

The two sets of nailers 362 and 264 are preferably mounted as shown on the upper frame member 370. The set of nailers indicated at 362 is provided with three nailing devices, indicated at 378 and the other set of nailers indicated at 364 are provided with two nailing devices indicated at 380. The control system for the sets of nailers 362 and 364 is designed so the nailers function only when the header and cripple members are beneath the nailers. In order to accomplish the required control of the nailers a pair of control switches are provided to initiate operation of the nailers as the leading edge portion of the window portion of the wall section moves beneath the nailers so they will function to drive nails through the header and cripple members into the studs along the length of the window portion of the wall section. A first control switch 382 is positioned below the wall section and has an actuator arm 384 positioned to contact the same trigger pins used by the saw machine 22, the header placing machine 24 and cripple placing machine 26. The control switch 382 is supported by a mount 386. Another control switch 388 is positioned above the wall section and depends from the upper frame member 370; it has an actuator arm 390 which will contact the stud members of the wall section as it moves through the machine 28. The second control switch 388 is positioned so the actuator arm 390 thereof will contact and be moved by all of the stud members of the wall section. The control switches 382 and 388 are connected in a series relation so the nailers 378 and 380 will not be actuated until the studs supporting the header and cripple members are beneath same. As the carriage moves into position under the nailers the lower control switch 382 will be actuated by the trigger pin located at the leading edge 

1. An assembly line means for making a wall section, comprising: a. means for supporting and moving in horizontal position a wall section and having means to temporarily receive and hold stud members, and means to temporarily receive and hold plate members, b. means to place stud members in said means to temporarily receive and hold stud members, c. means to place plate members in said means to temporarily receive and hold plate members, d. means to secure said plate members to said stud members while with said means for supporting a wall section, e. means to place sheet material on an upper surface of said stud members and said plate members while with said means for supporting a wall section, f. meanS to secure said sheet material to said stud members and said plate members while in said means for supporting a wall section, g. means to cut an aperture in said wall section through said sheet material while said wall section is with said means for supporting a wall section, h. means to place a window assembly in an aperture in said wall section while said wall section is with said means for supporting a wall section, and i. means to secure said window assembly to said sheet material while said wall section is with said means for supporting a wall section.
 2. The means of claim 1 wherein there is means to remove a wall section from said means for supporting a wall section.
 3. The assembly line means for making a wall section of claim 2, wherein same has: a. means to notch said stud members to receive a header member, while said stud members are with said means for supporting a wall section, b. means to place a header member in a notch in said stud members while said stud members are with said means for supporting a wall section. c. means to notch said stud members to receive a cripple member while said stud members are with said means for supporting a wall section, and d. means to place a cripple member in a notch in said stud members while said stud members are with said means for supporting a wall section.
 4. The assembly line means of claim 3, wherein: a. said means for supporting and moving a wall section is a carriage means, b. said means to temporarily receive and hold stud members has a stud clamp means constructed to receive and hold said stud members in an upright position, c. said means to temporarily receive and hold plate members has a plate clamp means constructed to receive and hold said plate members transverse to said stud members, in an upright position and in contact with ends of said stud members, and d. a track means extends through said assembly line means for making a wall section to support and guide said carriage means.
 5. The assembly line means of claim 4, wherein: a. said means to place stud members has means to remove said stud members from a stack of precut stud members, said stack having a plurality of rows and columns and being positioned transverse to said carriage means, and drop said stud members through an aperture into said stud clamp means as said carriage means moves through said means to place wall stud members, b. said means to place plate members has means to remove a plate member from a platform having a plurality of plate members lying thereon and positioned parallel to said carriage means and drop said plate members through an aperture into said plate clamp means in position perpendicular to and abutting said stud members with said carriage means temporarily stopped, c. said means to secure said plate members to said stud members has an automatic nailing means to drive nails through said plate members into the end portions of said stud members as said carriage means moves through said means to secure plate members to said members, d. said means to notch said stud members to receive a header member has an automatic saw means to form a notch in said stud members at a window location as said carriage means moves through said means to notch said stud members, e. said means to place a header member has means to remove a header member from a platform having a plurality of header members lying thereon and positioned parallel to said carriage means and drop said header members through an aperture into said notch in said stud members with said carriage means temporarily stopped, f. said means to notch said stud members to receive a cripple member has an automatic saw means to form a notch in said stud members at a window location as said carriage means moves through said means to notch stud members, g. said means to place a cripple member has means to remove a cripple member from a platform having a plurality of cripple membErs lying thereon positioned parallel to said carriage means and drop said cripple members through an aperture into said notch in said stud members with said carriage means temporarily stopped, h. said means to place sheet material has means to remove a sheet of wall covering material from the top of a stack of horizontally stacked sheets of same said wall covering material and dispense same wall covering material in sliding motion one at a time onto said upper surface of said stud members and said plate members as said carriage means moves through said means to place sheet material, i. said means to secure said sheet material has means to tack said sheets of wall covering material to said plate members with an automatic nailer means operable to nail at corner portions of said sheets of wall covering material as said carriage moves through said means to tack said sheets of wall covering material, j. said means to cut an aperture in a wall section has a first saw means having a pair of saws operable to make a pair of cuts through said wall section transverse to said carriage means with said carriage means temporarily stopped and a second saw means having a pair of saws to make a pair of cuts through said wall section and said stud members longitudinally relative said carriage means as said carriage means moves through said second saw means, k. said means to secure said sheet material has an automatic nailer means to nail through said sheet material into said stud members and said plate members along and in line with said stud members as said carriage means moves through said means to secure said sheet material, l. said means to place a window assembly has means to remove a window assembly from the top of an upright stack of window assemblies and means to drop a window assembly into an aperture in said wall section with said carriage means temporarily stopped, m. said means to secure said window assembly has an automatic nailer means to nail through said window assembly into said sheet material as said carriage means passes through said means to secure said window assembly, n. said means to remove a wall section has a hoist means and a frame means temporarily attachable to said wall section for raising same said wall section from said carriage means.
 6. The assembly line means of claim 5, wherein: a. said carriage means has an elongated frame and a means to move said frame on said track means, b. said stud clamp means has a plurality of pairs of stud clamps positioned in a spaced relation on opposite sides of said frame, said clamps each having a fixed jaw portion and a pivotable jaw portion pivotable to a closed position when a stud member is placed in same said clamp and pivotable to a normally open position when same said stud member is removed, and c. said plate clamp means has a plurality of clamping bar members transversely mounted with said carriage frame extendable to the sides thereof to engage with said plate members, a clamping bar support member attached said plurality of clamping bar members centrally longitudinally disposed and movably mounted with said carriage frame, and a piston and cylinder means having opposite ends thereof secured to said carriage frame and to said clamping bar support member operable to move said support member and said clamping bar members transversely relative said carriage frame.
 7. A method of making a wooden frame wall section having a covering on one side thereof, comprising: a. conveying a wall section support means in a horizontal position, b. placing stud members with said wall sections support means, c. placing plate members with said wall sections support means, d. securing said plate members to said stud members, e. placing window assembly support members with said stud members and securing said window assembly support members to said stud members, f. placing sheet material on an upper surface of said stud members and said plate members, G. securing said sheet material to said stud members and said plate members, h. cutting an aperture in said sheet material at a window location, i. inserting a window assembly into said aperture, and j. securing a window assembly to said wall section.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein said wall section is removed from said wall section support means.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein: a. said placing stud members having placing means operable to place stud members with a portion thereof extending upward, b. said placing plate members having a dispensing means to place said plate members perpendicular to said stud members at ends thereof, c. said securing said plate members to said stud members having a nailing means operable to nail through said plate members into end portions of said stud members, d. said placing sheet material placing a plurality of sheets of wall section covering material, and e. said securing said sheet material having a nailing means operable to nail through said sheet material into said plate members and said stud members.
 10. The method of making a wooden frame wall section of claim 9 wherein: a. said stud members are notched at a window location to receive a header member and a cripple member, b. placing a header member in resulting notches in notched stud members, c. placing a cripple member in resulting notches in notched stud members, d. securing said header member and said cripple member to said stud members, e. tacking said sheet material in place on said stud members and said plate members, and f. cutting an aperture through said wall section between said header member and said cripple member.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein: a. a window assembly is placed in said aperture, b. securing said window assembly to said wall section, and c. removing said wall section from said wall section support means.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein: a. said notching said stud members having a saw means to saw said notches in a line parallel to said plate members, b. placing a header member has a dispensing means operable to place a header member in said notches in said stud members, c. placing a cripple member has a dispensing means operable to place a cripple member in said notches in said stud members, d. said securing said header member and said cripple member has a nailing means to nail through said header member into said stud members and to nail through said cripple member into said stud members, e. said tacking said sheet material has a nailing means to nail through said plurality of sheets at corner portions thereof into said plate members, f. said cutting an aperture has a first saw means to form two parallel cuts in said wall section transverse to said wall section and a second saw means to form two parallel cuts in said wall section longitudinally connecting said two transverse cuts, g. said placing a window assembly has a window assembly dispensing means to drop a window assembly in said aperture, and h. said securing said window assembly has a nailing means to nail through said window assembly along sides thereof and along the top thereof into said stud members and into said header member respectively. 